vicarious Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite experienced at secondhand
    • read about mountain climbing and felt vicarious excitement
  2. adjective satellite occurring in an abnormal part of the body instead of the usual site involved in that function
    • vicarious menstruation
  3. adjective satellite suffered or done by one person as a substitute for another
    • vicarious atonement

WordNet

Vi*ca"ri*ous adjective
Etymology
L. vicarius, from vicis change, alternation, turn, the position, place, or office of one person as assumed by another; akin to Gr. to yield, give way, G. wechsel a change, and probably also to E. weak. See Weak, and cf. Vice, prep.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to a vicar, substitute, or deputy; deputed; delegated; as, vicarious power or authority.
  2. Acting of suffering for another; as, a vicarious agent or officer.
    The soul in the body is but a subordinate efficient, and vicarious . . . in the hands of the Almighty. Sir M. Hale.
  3. Performed of suffered in the place of another; substituted; as, a vicarious sacrifice; vicarious punishment.
    The vicarious work of the Great Deliverer. I. Taylor.
  4. (Med.) Acting as a substitute; -- said of abnormal action which replaces a suppressed normal function; as, vicarious hemorrhage replacing menstruation.

Webster 1913